Bracelets That Are Making a Change
A small bracelet is making the biggest difference. Some of the world’s dirtiest beaches are in Central America and the simplest idea is making a big change. In 2010, two college students from San Diego, California embarked on a journey to Costa Rica and were met by artisans who were living a life of poverty. Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman took 400 bracelets back to San Diego and put them in boutiques around the area, and soon the bracelets were sold out and the business was developed. Each bracelet is hand crafted by the support of 350+ artisans and is waxed down for each bracelet to last longer.
Today people can see these bracelets in local shops, stores and on your peers at Talawanda High School. Each bracelet sold is making a change to the poverty situation in Central America and 1% goes to clean beach foundations. Some bracelet designs are inspired by awarenesses such as autism, mental health, suicide prevention, adoption and cancer. Recently Pura Vida has made a Hurricane Florence Relief bracelet, and 50% of all money made from the bracelets is given to the responders who are helping repair the damage that the hurricane is causing.
Just walk the halls at Talawanda High School and you’ll see students wearing Pura Vida bracelets. The bracelets can be purchased separately or in packs. These come in clumps of bracelets that have a common theme or feel, bright in summer or something that is bright to keep people going. You can also get a monthly membership for $14.99.
Pura Vida bracelets have been found in many different places like California to West Virginia and sales are flourishing. One of the writers, Ellen Heyob, said this is why she bought so many of these bracelets: “I love going to different places and getting another Pura Vida and remembering where that specific one came from, it reminds me of the beaches I went to and the memories I had.”
Each bracelet has a different meaning behind it. One of the writers, Hallie Endres said, “The bright, colorful one means “Born to be Wild.” I ordered a couple along with this one, but this one is definitely my favorite. It reminds me to do what I want to do and follow my heart!”
Pura Vida bracelets help a vast amount of different charities. Recently they have partnered with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society making a bracelet and 10% of the net profits will go to leukemia awareness and research. They also recently helped a turtle and released the turtle (Vida) back into the ocean with a gps tracker to see where her journey leads her to go.
